Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of compliance in Web3 projects, highlighting that merely registering overseas or deploying servers abroad does not guarantee compliance. The focus should be on the project's business model, funding structure, and operational substance, especially for teams serving Chinese users [2][4]. Group 1: High-Risk Project Identification - Developers should construct a "high-risk project identification radar" to recognize four common criminal risk patterns in Web3 projects: gambling-related crimes, pyramid scheme activities, illegal fundraising, and illegal business operations [4][5]. - The highest risk crime identified is "operating a gambling house," particularly prevalent in GameFi and blockchain gaming projects, where developers can be held liable even if they are not direct operators [5][6][9]. - The most concealed crime is "organizing and leading pyramid schemes," which often disguise themselves as promotional incentives. Developers must be cautious of reward structures that resemble pyramid schemes [11][12]. - The most explicit crime is related to illegal fundraising, where projects that issue tokens without regulatory approval can be prosecuted under laws against illegal fundraising [14][15][18]. - The current hottest crime is "illegal business operations," particularly in the context of virtual currency platforms facilitating illegal currency exchanges, which have seen increased regulatory scrutiny [22][24]. Group 2: Risk Identification Framework - Developers can identify potential legal risks by recognizing key signals in project structures, such as the presence of gambling mechanics, pyramid-like reward systems, illegal fundraising practices, and illegal business operations [28][30][32][34][37]. - Specific characteristics of gambling-related projects include recharge mechanisms, random gameplay, and withdrawal paths that can be interpreted as gambling loops [30][31]. - Pyramid scheme projects often involve user fees, referral rewards, and multi-level commission structures, which can lead to legal repercussions for developers involved in their design [32][33]. - Illegal fundraising projects typically promise returns to the public without financial regulatory approval, making them susceptible to legal action [34][36]. - Illegal business operations are characterized by facilitating currency exchanges without proper licensing, which poses significant legal risks for developers involved in such systems [37][40]. Group 3: Legal Awareness for Developers - Developers must possess a basic understanding of legal risks associated with Web3 projects, as their involvement in system architecture and key functionalities can expose them to criminal liability [41][42]. - Key factors that may indicate a developer's awareness of potential legal risks include their role in the project, involvement in critical modules, and any concerns raised about the project's legality [43][44]. - Developers should conduct self-assessments before engaging in Web3 projects, focusing on identifying high-risk structures, questioning the project's logic, and documenting their role to mitigate potential legal repercussions [45][46].

（来源：沂蒙金融） 苏某明等人非法吸收公众存款案 ——私募基金管理人经登记、私募基金经备案或者部分备案的不影响对非法集资行为"非法性" 的认定 案情简介 被告人苏某明，系深圳弘某财富管理有限公司（以下简称"弘某财富公司"）、深圳弘某基金管理有限公 司（以下简称"弘某基金公司"）实际控制人，上述两家公司在中国证券投资基金业协会（以下简称"基 金业协会"）登记为私募股权、创业投资基金管理人。被告人高某，系弘某财富公司副总裁、销售部负 责人。被告人贺某，系弘某基金公司副总裁、业务部负责人。 2016年7月至2018年7月，苏某明以弘某财富公司、弘某基金公司作为私募基金管理人，先后成立深圳弘 某天成添富投资企业、深圳弘某汇富贰号投资企业等有限合伙企业，以多个房地产开发项目为投资标 的，隐瞒投资项目均为苏某明实际控制的公司开发或者与他人合作开发的实情，发行私募股权类基金产 品5只（其中4只在基金业协会备案）。苏某明指使高某、贺某组织销售团队以口口相传、产品推介会、 通过其他金融机构和私募基金公司、同行业从业人员帮助推销等多种方式向社会公开宣传私募基金产 品，允许不合格投资者通过"拼单""代持"等方式突破私募基金投资人数 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the disappearance of Wang Zhi, the director of Beijing Qunyi Law Firm, who allegedly engaged in illegal fundraising activities through high-interest loans and family legal service contracts, leading to significant financial losses for investors [1][9]. Group 1: Company Operations - Wang Zhi utilized a "litigation preservation" business model to attract funds from the public, promising monthly returns and using lottery incentives to encourage further investments [1][4]. - The law firm was structured with a marketing department that solicited funds from investors while lawyers handled legal cases, indicating a separation of roles within the firm [2][4]. - The firm claimed to have engaged in 43 litigation preservation cases in the first half of 2023, involving over 800 million yuan in assets and cash guarantees exceeding 170 million yuan [5][6]. Group 2: Financial Details - Initial interest rates for investments were around 12% in 2013, increasing to 16%-20% by 2017, but dropped to 11% by March 2025 [4][5]. - Investors reported a total of over 900 million yuan in outstanding loans, with many victims being elderly individuals who were misled by the firm's operations [9][10]. - The law firm had a significant number of clients, with estimates suggesting that there were between 600 to 700 investors involved, many of whom were unaware of the risks [8][9]. Group 3: Legal Implications - Legal experts suggest that Wang Zhi's actions may constitute illegal public fundraising or investment fraud, depending on whether he intended to misappropriate the funds [13]. - If convicted of illegal fundraising, Wang Zhi could face over 10 years in prison, while charges of investment fraud could lead to sentences ranging from 7 years to life imprisonment [13].

Core Viewpoint - The Beijing First Intermediate People's Court publicly sentenced the former chairman of Zhongzhi Enterprise Group, along with other management personnel, for illegal public deposit solicitation, resulting in prison terms ranging from fourteen years to four years and six months, along with fines [1]. Group 1 - The court found that the defendants, as responsible personnel of Zhongzhi Enterprise Group, violated national financial management laws by covertly soliciting public deposits, thereby disrupting financial order [1]. - The court's decision was based on the facts, nature, circumstances of the crime, and the degree of harm to society caused by the defendants' actions [1]. - Family members of the defendants, some participants in the fundraising, and members of the public attended the sentencing [2]. Group 2 - Following the case's emergence, law enforcement agencies have been actively pursuing the recovery of assets involved in the case, and the asset recovery efforts are still ongoing [3].

被告人家属、部分集资参与人及社会各界群众旁听了宣判。 本案案发后，公安机关全力开展涉案资产追缴工作。现追赃挽损工作仍在进行中。 北京市第一中级人民法院经审理认为，被告人高某某等人作为中植企业集团有限公司直接负责的主管人 员及其他直接责任人员，违反国家金融管理法律规定，变相吸收公众存款，扰乱金融秩序，其行为均已 构成非法吸收公众存款罪。法院根据各被告人犯罪的事实、性质、情节和对于社会的危害程度，依法作 出上述判决。 北京商报讯（记者 刘四红）据央视新闻，12月23日，北京市第一中级人民法院对北京市人民检察院第 一分院首批提起公诉的中植系管理人员——中植企业集团有限公司原董事局主席高某某等人涉嫌犯非法 吸收公众存款罪一案进行公开宣判，对被告人高某某等人以非法吸收公众存款罪判处有期徒刑十四年至 四年六个月不等刑罚，并处罚金。 ...

Group 1 - The case involves the former chairman of Zhongzhi Enterprise Group Co., Ltd., Gao, and others, who were convicted of illegally absorbing public deposits, receiving prison sentences ranging from fourteen years to four years and six months, along with fines [1] - The court found that the defendants, as responsible personnel of Zhongzhi Enterprise Group, violated national financial management laws by indirectly absorbing public deposits, disrupting financial order, which constituted the crime of illegal absorption of public deposits [1] - The judgment was based on the facts, nature, circumstances of the crime, and the degree of harm to society [1] Group 2 - Following the case, law enforcement agencies have been actively pursuing the recovery of assets involved, and the asset recovery efforts are still ongoing [3]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the severe issues faced by investors in Yongkun Gold, highlighting the inability to redeem investments and the company's misleading promises regarding gold investment safety and returns [1][12]. Group 1: Company Operations - Yongkun Gold (Zhejiang Yongkun Holdings Co., Ltd.) has been accused of failing to fulfill its gold custody business, leading to significant financial losses for investors, some amounting to millions [1][12]. - The company previously claimed that investors could redeem gold at a profit when prices rose or receive a full refund when prices fell, which has proven to be misleading [2][12]. - Yongkun Gold has been operating since 2014 and claims to be a comprehensive service provider in the gold industry, with a presence in multiple provinces and over 50 retail outlets [12]. Group 2: Investor Experiences - Many investors, including those who have invested for over a decade, are now unable to redeem their gold, with reported amounts reaching up to 700 million yuan [4][6]. - Investors were drawn to Yongkun's offerings due to the perceived safety provided by insurance policies from companies like Taiping Property Insurance, which promised to cover their investments [8][11]. - However, the insurance policies do not cover losses due to the company's operational failures, leading to further investor concerns [8][11]. Group 3: Legal and Regulatory Issues - Local law enforcement has initiated criminal proceedings against Yongkun Gold, but there are concerns about the ability of online investors to recover their losses due to the lack of formal contracts [13]. - Legal experts suggest that Yongkun's business practices may constitute illegal public fundraising, and the investigation will determine if fraud charges are applicable [13].